A San Diego church started using the space formerly occupied by Junior Seau’s Restaurant on Sunday morning.
Eastlake Church hosted their Mission Valley gathering inside the 14,500-square-foot space for the first time this week with services at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
The restaurant was owned by former Chargers Pro Bowler Junior Seau who was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside his Oceanside home on May 2.
Seau’s Restaurant was closed on May 16 following the former Charger’s suicide.
“Without Seau’s charismatic leadership, it was felt that the future profitability of the restaurant could be in question," read a statement announcing the closure.
The restaurant was open from 1996 to this year, and provided a place for fans to watch the games on dozens of televisions propped throughout the eatery.
Eastlake Church has not stated how long they hope to rent the space in the Westfield Mission Valley shopping area, but told NBC 7 San Diego it is a "temporary rental agreement." It is the only church listed at the outdoor mall.
Roughly 400 people attended the Sunday services, according to the church.
"We are happy to be there and open the doors once again," said Pastor Luke Crosby in an email. "As we have left the restaurant virtually as it was, Jr's mural and all."
